Bulldogs, Demons sweat on injuries after MCG thriller

The Western Bulldogs have locked in a historic wildcard showdown with Collingwood after holding off an inaccurate Melbourne by 21 points at the Demons' MCG fortress.

Boosted by the return of Marcus Bontempelli after the birth of his first child, the Bulldogs brought finals-like pressure to the end of the home-and-away season.

Entering the match with a 10-1 record at the MCG this year, the Demons were strangely flat and disorganised, despite a win meaning they would finish in the top six and earn a week off before finals.

Trailing by 28 points at the 10-minute mark of the final quarter, Melbourne - inspired by Max Gawn - quickly peeled the deficit back to just eight to have the MCG roaring.

But experienced midfielder Matt Kennedy's classy snap with four minutes left put a pin in the Demons' bubble, allowing the Bulldogs to win 16.12 (108) to 12.15 (87).

Bontempelli made a certainty of the result when the Bulldogs captain slotted his second goal of the game with just two minutes left, capping off a superb 27-possession match.

Regardless of results for the rest of the round, the Bulldogs are locked into eighth and will face the ninth-placed Magpies in a wildcard match back at the MCG, likely next Friday night.

Melbourne will also be heading for the wildcard - a showdown with surging Carlton - unless Adelaide suffer a shock home loss to GWS later on Saturday night.

But in a massive blow for the Bulldogs, star forward Aaron Naughton - who had slotted two goals - was ruled out for the rest of the match after landing awkwardly in the third quarter.

The Demons also lost forward Matt Jefferson, who went down moments after Naughton with a knee injury.

Despite Melbourne smashing the Bulldogs out of the centre, due to ruck goliath Gawn going up against Rory Lobb and journeyman Ryan Gardner, the Demons struggled for connection inside 50 and defended poorly.

Gawn was clearly best-on-ground with 28 possessions, 10 clearances and 59 hit-outs.

Joining Bontempelli in spearheading the Bulldogs' charge was Ed Richards with a game-high 30 possessions and one memorable goal.

In the first quarter, Richards snapped through a ball from 40m out, despite his boot coming off in the preceding contest.